MIAMI — Fresh off a weekend sweep of Sam Houston that clinched a spot in the 2026 Conference USA (CUSA) Tournament, FIU's softball program heads to Middle Tennessee for a three-game set, April 30-May 2.
The Panthers (32-16, 14-10 CUSA) take on the Blue Raiders (20-28, 6-18 CUSA) for their final CUSA series of 2026 with seeding for the upcoming tournament on the line. FIU's 32 wins are the most for the program since 2017 and the 14 conference wins match the most wins since 2018 with three games to play.
FIU currently sits sixth in the CUSA table, but is just one game back of third place as Delaware, New Mexico State and Liberty are all tied-third with 15-9 records. Behind FIU, Sam Houston sits one game back at 13-11 while Louisiana Tech is two games behind with a 12-12 mark in CUSA play.
The Panthers will make their final push to secure a top-four seed in next week's tournament in Newark, Del. (May 6-9), of which would mean avoiding the play-in round of the tournament. Seeds 5-8 will have a one-game play-in round that is single-elimination while Seeds 1-4 automatically advance to the double-elimination format. The winners of the 5 vs. 8 matchup and 6 vs. 7 matchup will then make up the final two teams in the six-team double elimination bracket.
FIU continues to be led offensively by Kally Meredith and Kennedy Byrd. Meredith leads CUSA with her .471 batting average and also leads the league in hits while ranking second in runs scored and stolen bases. Byrd has excelled in conference play with a conference-leading .567 on-base percentage and an .825 slugging percentage, second-best in CUSA. Janelle Martinez also delivered a big weekend at the dish with six combined RBI in three games against the Bearkats.
In the circle, FIU has been paced by Brooke McNichols, who has won six of her seven starts in CUSA play, pitching complete games in five of those starts. Last weekend, the Panthers staff of McNichols, Kennedy Byrd and J'dah Girigorie surrendered just five combined earned runs in the three-game sweep of Sam Houston.
Last weekend's rotation for FIU was as follows: McNichols (Game One), Byrd (Game Two), Girigorie (Game Three).
SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS
MTSU, of which is eliminated from tournament contention, enters this weekend following a 2-1 series loss to CUSA Regular Season-Champion Jax State last weekend on the road. The Blue Raiders salvaged the final game of the series with a 5-4 victory behind a strong pitching performance from Braelyn Hall and homers from Macie Harter and Onnika Spencer.
Hall is the primary pitcher for MTSU, sporting a 3.81 ERA with 137.2 innings pitched. Harter is the Blue Raiders' top offensive option with a .325 average and .478 on-base percentage, adding 19 stolen bases. Spencer and teammate Ansley Blevins have combined for 21 homers this season as the two power hitters for MTSU.
The starting pitching rotation for Middle Tennessee last weekend was as follows: Halle Klaiber (Friday), Hall (Saturday), Hall (Sunday).
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. Middle Tennessee: FIU leads 55-29
Home/Away/Neutral: 27-11 / 22-15 / 6-3
Last Matchup: FIU def. MTSU, 7-4 (March 9, 2025)
Streak: FIU W1
Last Series: FIU def. MTSU, 2-1 (March 7-9, 2025)=
GAMES TIMES/BROADCAST INFO (ALL TIMES ET)
Network: ESPN+
Thursday, April 30 - 7 p.m.
Friday, May 1 - 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 2 - 1 p.m.
BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2026 FIU Softball season is presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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